Introduction to Graduate Research and Writing - John Carroll ...

PRELIMINARY SYLLABUS
HM 503-1, Introduction to Graduate Research and
Writing
Summer II, 2013: June 17-July 18, 2013
This course has been designed as a HYBRID course, one that blends on-site and on-line
educational formats. Official class hours are MWR from 6:30 to 9:20 p.m. in Room AD
225. However, we will meet only one day per week on campus, ordinarily on Monday
evenings. The rest of the course will be conducted on-line using the Blackboard course
management system. The on-line portion of the course will be asynchronous; students
participate, complete assignments, and post comments on-line at times convenient to
them.
Instructor Information and Communication Strategy:
Instructor: Dr. Brenda A. Wirkus
Office: B26a in the basement of the AD Bldg. off its main corridor
Phone: 216-397-4787
E-mail: wirkus@jcu.edu
Office hours: On-campus on Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Available at other times by appointment.
I will be available by e-mail and will respond within 24 hours except on
weekends.
Course Description:
HM 503 is one of the three foundational courses for our Humanities M.A. Program. In
the Graduate Studies Bulletin it is described as the “critical exploration of special topics
as the basis from which to develop graduate-level research and writing skills.” Critical
thinking, expressed through solid research and clear writing, serves as the foundation for
all academic and professional pursuits. Each student will develop these skills through the
researching and writing of an essay that contains a clear thesis statement and produces an
argument utilizing appropriate evidence. Students will also practice evaluation of the
research and writing of their peers.
Course Objectives:
1. To introduce the student to the basics of research at the graduate level by acquainting
him/her with various research tools, methodologies, and resources, including the library.

2. To assist the student in learning how to design a research project.
3. To pay special attention to teaching students the humanities methodology of careful
and attentive reading, uncovering underlying assumptions, and explicating texts.
4. To introduce the student to fundamentals of graduate-level writing by undertaking the
writing of a research paper through its various stages.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to
1. understand the principles of research,
2. know how to use a library and its various resources,
3. formulate an appropriate research question,
4. design a research project,
5. evaluate the works of major intellectual figures by employing critical methods,
6. apply those same methods in engaging in peer evaluation,
7. draft an argumentative essay through a number of stages, and
8. produce a final project that incorporates conceptual analysis, clear thinking, and
scholarly writing skills.
Course Requirements:
Required Text: The Craft of Research, edited by Wayne Booth, Gregory Colomb, and
Joseph Williams. University of Chicago Press. Now available in third edition at the JCU
Bookstore.
A list of suggested supplemental texts will be made available as the course develops.
The major course requirement is a term paper/research essay 12-15 pages in length. That
paper will go through three drafts, one peer-reviewed and one instructor-reviewed. This
project will count for 50% of the student’s final grade for the course.
Each student will also engage in on-line peer review of a colleague’s essay. Peer review
will count for 10% of the student’s final grade.
Participation in the on-line discussion forum, including answering posted questions and
responding weekly to student and instructor comments, will account for 30% of the
student’s grade.
Lastly, attendance and participation will account for the final 10% of the student’s grade.
Assessment rubrics for each component of the course will be provided.

We shall follow the grading scale outlined on page 15 of the John Carroll University
2012-2014 Graduate Studies Bulletin with the following point assignment for grades:
A 4 points Graduate students are expected to
A- 3.7 points maintain a 3.0 average and will
B+ 3.3 points receive a warning letter from the Dean
B 3 points for a grade of B-.
B- 2.7 points
C+ 2.3 points
C
2 points
The Blackboard website is our primary means of on-line communication. All
information, including syllabus and assignments, will be available on that site.
Instruction in how to navigate the Blackboard site will be provided during the first week
of class, along with practice activities.
Please save a copy of all of your assignments. ATTENDANCE at every class meeting is
required.
ACADEMIC HONESTY is the fundamental principle which guides intellectual inquiry
and the life of the university. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will be met, at the very
least, with a grade of "F" for that particular piece of work.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: John Carroll University recognizes its
responsibility for creating an institutional climate in which students with disabilities can
succeed. In accordance with University policy, if you have a documented disability, you
may be eligible to request accommodations from the office of Services for Students with
Disabilities (SSD). Please contact the SSD coordinator at 216-397-4967 or go to the
office located in room 7A in the Garden Level of the Administration Building. After
your eligibility for accommodations is determined, you will be given a letter which will
help me determine how best to assist you. Please keep in mind that accommodations will
not be granted retroactively; register immediately.
Preliminary Course Calendar:
Each week will include on-line postings of discussion questions which much be answered
by week’s end, 11:59 p.m. EDST of the Friday of each week. Unless noted otherwise, all
Monday classes will meet on JCU’s campus.
Week One: Monday, June 17 Introduction to course and hands-on introduction to
Blackboard.
Weds., June 19 Craft of Research, chapters one and two
Thurs., June 20 Craft, chapters three through six
Week Two: Mon., June 24 Introduction to JCU’s library resources

Weds., June 26 Craft, chapters seven through ten
Thurs., June 27 Posting of on-line questions and answers
Week Three: Mon., July 1
Weds., July 3
Thurs., July 4
Essay proposal and topic to be shared with
class. Suggestions offered by peers.
Develop outline and articulate research plan.
Instructor will respond. Write first draft.
No class – holiday.
Week Four: Mon., July 8 Bring draft of essay to class for sharing and
discussion.
Weds., July 10 Craft, chapters eleven through fifteen.
Revise draft in light of those considerations.
Thurs., July 11 Post penultimate draft on-line.
Week Five: Mon., July 15 Peer review.
Weds., July 17 Final revisions.
Thurs., July 18 Final submission of course essay.
This syllabus and schedule of assignments are subject to revision as necessary.
More calendar detail will follow.